Cerebral Lesions from Physical Trauma

Abstract

The types of hemorrhagic lesions characteristic of mature infants differ from those of prematures in distribution and pathogenesis. Hemorrhages in prematures are mainly subependymal and intraventricular, leptomeningeal, or in the cerebellar parenchyma, and are related to asphyxia. They become less frequent as the infant approaches maturity. The types of hemorrhages characteristic of the mature newborn are related to mechanical trauma, such as lacerations of tentorium, falx or large venous channels, subdural hematomas, or injuries of the spinal cord. In addition to these types of lesions, the present chapter also includes a discussion of herniations of intracranial contents of the newborn.

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